Which type of jockey box is more effective at chilling beer?

The coil type jockey box is considered more effective at chilling beer due to its design, which maximizes surface area and contact time between the beer and the cooling element. In a coil jockey box, the beer travels through a long coil of tubing that is surrounded by ice or cold water. This coiled configuration allows for the beer to be continuously cooled as it flows through the tubing. The heat exchange is efficient because of the long length of the coil and the direct contact with a cooler medium, ensuring that the beer is served at a desired, chilled temperature.

In contrast, the plate type jockey box has limitations in the amount of surface area available for heat exchange compared to the coil type. While it can be effective under certain circumstances, it may not chill the beer as rapidly or thoroughly as the coil type. The bucket and standard types generally do not have the specialized cooling mechanisms that enhance performance as effectively as the coil design does. Thus, for optimal chilling of beer, the coil type is superior.